Heavy metal Armored Saint-style is still a very rare commodity and La Raza reminds us why: these veteran metallers are still capable of crafting music with a unique, powerful and vital sense of energy and soul. The songwriting might no be as stellar as on, say, Symbol Of Salvation; however, La Raza still offers more than enough gimmick-free heavy metal to satisfy any fan.

Totally agreed. There's about 3 songs I really like, especially "Left Hook From Right Field". But overall, it is a pretty weak effort from them. Especially compared to the stuff from the debut - "Symbol Of Salvation". Still, Im glad John Bush is back with the Saint and Joey is back with Anthrax. lol xD I just hope if Armored Saint do another album its far more consistent than their last two. 6.5/7 is exactly what I think it should be given. Average stuff with the ocassional flash of brilliance.

I actually find their debut March Of The Saint their weakest after this one due to the production. Their best for me would still be Delirious Nomad closely followed by Symbol Of Salvation.

Hmm... "March Of The Saint" has some awesome songs on it, though I agree the production is a bit weak. The guitars lack some punch and sound a bit flat. "Symbol Of Salvation" is such an underrated album. It's a shame Saint never got the recognition they deserved, and John Bush joined Anthrax because they were much more commercially popular. I often wonder what would have happened if John had stuck with the Saint and they never split up. Because they were really starting to come into their own with Symbol, even with the sad loss of Dave Prichard.

I can't really blame Bush for joining Anthrax becuase back in the day he had already turned own an offer to koin Metallica as vocalist cause he thought Armored Saint would become bigger than Metallica and look how that decision turned out

I can't really blame Bush for joining Anthrax becuase back in the day he had already turned own an offer to koin Metallica as vocalist cause he thought Armored Saint would become bigger than Metallica and look how that decision turned out

Yep, he actually referenced that fact in an interview. lol He said he didnt want to turn down Anthrax and make the same mistake that he made when he turned down Metallica. Of course, Anthrax never became as big as Metallica, but they definitely were a lot bigger than Armored Saint. Im not saying I blame him, cos I definitely dont. I just think its a shame, because "Symbol Of Salvation" was a great album. And they seemed like a band with so much more life in them. They were building momentum. By the time they reformed, that momentum was lost... And now Im rambling hehee